Movies: reviews, reflections, and things of that nature

TV Review: Breaking Bad – “No Mas”

The first two seasons of Breaking Bad took a fish out of water and turned it into a shark. The show’s once benevolent, almost sheepish protagonist, Walter White, mutated right before us into a callous, immoral man. Seeing him go so far into moral decadence has made the show’s tragic experience some of the best teleivision ever.

At the beginning of season one, we met a man-an underappreciated and overly qualified chemistry teacher-whose life began deteriorating due to lung cancer. Later on, we met that same man-a desperate husband-who started cooking Crystal Meth in order to secure his family’s wealth when he passes away. At the end of season two, we met that same man, yet he, himself, was no longer the same. Over the length of twenty episodes, he transformed into a liar, a murderer, and an experienced drug trafficker. Now, at the start of season three, what part of Walter White’s complexity do we meet?

We meet a man in denial. He refuses to acknowledge the blood on his hands, and he manipulates the perspectives of those around him into thinking that the bloody domino effect that has occurred because of his decisions is not that horrible. Surprisingly, he owns up to his wife, Skyler, when she accuses him of drug dealing, but he again turns fabrications into a tactical defense. This time, it doesn’t work.

There is trouble from multiple angles heading Walt’s way. All of his family ties are obviously breaking, and his wife’s knowledge of his work only brings him closer to the hands of his brother-in-law, an agent of the DEA. His refusal to take the $3 million offer from Gus, an extremely professional and low-profile kingpin, won’t be taken politely, despite Gus’ deceptively cordial understanding. There are two ominous killers searching for Walt’s alternate Meth-cooking persona, Heisenberg, and as made evident by this episode, they have no problem taking care of anyone that stands in their way.

All of this danger that surrounds Walt is peripheral, but what’s most important is that he first focuses on the internal. Will he hide behind foiled rationale or will his guilt fully manifest into something destructive? His partner in crime, Jesse, returns from rehab in this episode, and he certainly accepts that “I am the bad guy.” What will Walt come to accept about himself? Whatever his conclusion is, he must come to it quickly because the dangers that are coming will need to be dealt with.

No Mas continues the Breaking Bad tradition of being incredibly strong. Television’s standards have risen over the past few years, but Breaking Bad breaks even those expectations. In my mind, it is the best currently airing program on TV; yes, even better than Mad Men or LOST.

It’s unfortunate that not too many people watch this show. For those who’d like to know, Breaking Bad is quite akin to such films as No Country for Old Men, or Traffic, or even The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I can only give it my fullest recommendation.

Embedded below is a six minute recap of everything prior to the season three premiere. Those interested yet fearless of spoilers or those who have forgotten what happened in the first two seasons should give it a look. It’s a slick video.